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Korea
U.S. May Push for Sanctions on N. Korea
2003-04-26
The United States will raise the possibility of U.N. sanctions against North Korea when it consults with allies about the latest round of nuclear talks marked by Pyongyang's brinkmanship. In the past, North Korea has said that international sanctions would constitute a ``declaration of war.''
Guess that's what it's going to be, then...
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Friday the administration has taken no position on sanctions but will seek the opinion of other countries. ``North Korea has thumbed its nose not only at the region but at much of the world as a result of its actions, and therefore has been condemned by much of the world,'' he said. Administration officials had said Thursday that North Korean delegate Ri Gun told Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly that his country had nuclear weapons and would test, export or use them, depending on U.S. actions.
Put one on a ship anywhere and I've got a job for a Los Angeles class boat.
The officials added that North Korea also told the U.S. delegation that it had reprocessed spent nuclear fuel rods, a key step in the production of nuclear weapons. That claim is not backed up by U.S. intelligence. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher refused to comment directly on the reported comments.
How can you comment on patent ravings? Roll your eyes?
Friday was the third and final day of talks in Beijing involving the United States, North Korea and China on Pyongyang's nuclear program. After a brief, informal meeting among the three, Kelly flew to Seoul to brief senior South Korean officials on the meetings. He flew to Japan early Saturday. There was no comment from Kelly or the South Korean officials he met. U.S. officials have said they are seeking the ``verifiable and irreversible'' elimination of North Korea's nuclear programs. North Korea has pushed Washington for boatloads of money a nonaggression treaty. It accuses Washington of planning an invasion after the Iraq war.
Sure. We need a "non-aggression treaty" with a country whose leadership raves about a "sea of fire."
Boucher said the United States will not make concessions to North Korea. He offered no response to a North Korean statement that Pyongyang had offered ``a new bold proposal to clear up bilateral concerns,'' but gave no details.
No response, no details, no sale.
U.S. government Korean language experts will undertake a studied translation of Ri's official statement in Beijing to make sure there are no misunderstandings.
Call in the Minister for Silly Walks as well!
When the U.N. Security Council took up the North Korea issue two weeks ago, sanctions were not discussed. The Council expressed concern over North Korea's withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. A stronger statement failed to pass because of opposition from China and Russia. Boucher said the administration will undertake a careful review of the outcome of the Beijing meeting before deciding on next steps. Boucher and other officials seemed pleased by China's role in the talks, noting that Beijing issued a pointed reminder that North Korea had assured South Korea in 1992 that it had no plans to acquire nuclear weapons.
Diplospeak for "they're lying scum!"
Posted by:Steve White

#6  Mac had the right idea. If he would have been given a free hand, we would not have had a 50 year stalemate in Korea. Lets see, that was under a Democratic Party leadership, right?
Posted by: John   2003-04-27 01:18:34  

#5  Is there a typo? Shouldn't 2005 be "Make Iran a better place."??
Posted by: Ptah   2003-04-26 22:34:45  

#4  Just a little bit of wonder why there's a delay....2004 should be a much busier year
Posted by: Frank G   2003-04-26 21:15:19  

#3  Sounds like a plan :)
Posted by: djohn   2003-04-26 19:25:08  

#2  I thought that would raise some debate. Six hours later, there's no comment. Does that mean we are all agreed?
Posted by: Tom   2003-04-26 16:07:06  

#1  Have sanctions ever worked? Anywhere?

Game Plan:
2003-2004 Make Iraq a better place. Re-arm U.S.
2004 Re-elect George Bush.
2005 Make Iraq a better place. U.S. naval build-up around North Korea.
2006 "Surprise" air attack on N. Korea including Tomahawks on Pyongyang government buildings, carpet-bombing of front line near Seoul, and tactical nukes at entrances to under-mountain military bases. The "surprise" would be another decapitation hit to initiate the air campaign.
No U.S. ground operations. S. Korea: get ready!
Posted by: Tom   2003-04-26 10:57:19  

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